PORTSMOUTH are ready to turn to Sir Bobby Robson (left) when they finally call time on Alain Perrin's reign.

The French manager is already on borrowed time at Fratton Park.

And he will be axed if Pompey are defeated in their next two games - away to Liverpool and home to Chelsea. Neil Warnock, locked in a contractual dispute with Sheffield United, has been heavily linked with the Portsmouth job even though Perrin is still in position.

And Warnock would be top of Milan Mandaric's short-list should he finally tire of Perrin's stuttering regime.

But the feeling is that Warnock will find it hard to leave the Championship pacesetters - even though the Blades are not prepared to go anywhere close to his new salary demands.

And I understand Robson will be put on emergency standby with the chance of having one more crack at the Premiership. Robson was close to joining Hearts before the shock appointment of Graham Rix and has publicly affirmed his desire to return to management.

He feels he has one more major job left in him.

That could be Pompey if, as now seems inevitable, they dispense with Perrin's services and fail to land preferred choice Warnock.